When you had sleepovers as a child, what did you call the makeshift beds you made on the floor? In some places, you call those bedclothes and blankets a pallet. This word comes from an old term for “straw.” And: What’s the story...
Someone who’s towheaded has very light blond hair. Tow is an old word for flax, and flaxen-haired is a synonym for towheaded. Towheaded can also describe someone with tousled hair. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of...
A vast Corinthian column. A fair, flaxen-haired sister with golden ringlets. An old citizen of the town. A harp upon which the wind makes music. An athlete that shows its well-developed muscles. A great green feather stuck in the ground. These are...
Someone who’s flaxen-haired is said to be towheaded. Martha explains what kind of “tow” is involved. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Towhead” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hi. Hi, who’s this...
You hear about political groups “canvassing for votes.” But why canvas? We talk about the possible origins of this word, and the connection between the cannabis and the material known as canvas. This is part of a complete episode...
A fair-haired listener has been puzzled by the origin of a word she’s heard all her life: “tow-headed.” And no, it has nothing to do with the digits on one’s feet. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Tow...